How to fix a political mess

Our opinion: June is a great time for primary day, and in fact it could empower voters and diminish the role of special interests — if New York does this right.

The battle that has erupted over a judge’s order that New York hold its congressional primaries in June exposes just how messed up our state’s election system is.

It would be all too easy to get bogged down in the argument over how many primaries New Yorkers can stand in one year, and when they should be. This is about more than just picking a date and being done with it.

This is a chance — arguably an imperative — for the governor and lawmakers to finally forge a comprehensive solution that includes a fair, independent redistricting process and campaign finance reform. They need to do it this session, if not this month.

And if they do it right, June becomes a great month for a primary.

Here’s why.

Under a 2009 law, primaries for federal office must be held at least 45 days before the November general election. The reason is to leave enough time for overseas military ballots for the general election to be mailed and returned by Election Day.

New York’s primary day, the second Tuesday of September, had to change at least for congressional primaries. State lawmakers couldn’t settle on a date, so a federal judge picked one: June 26.

Now state officials are arguing about whether to move all the primaries to that day, or keep them separate or pick another day. And don’t forget, there’s a presidential primary on April 24.

Let’s face it: Turnout in primaries is low enough without asking voters to keep coming back. And they’re expensive, each costing $45 million or more. So one day for all the congressional, state and local primaries makes sense.

But when?

June? July? August? There are a raft of pros and cons.

A June date has a lot going for it. An early primary could foster more competitive elections by allowing challengers more time to boost their name recognition and get their message out. It avoids holding it in peak summer vacation months.

Perhaps the most compelling reason, though, is that it would come right at the end of the legislative session. What better time for voters to weigh incumbents than when the spotlight is on the Capitol, and lawmakers’ performances are fresh in our minds?

And this immediate accountability to voters could trump some of the influence of special interests.

So what’s wrong with June?

For one thing, many legislative districts are so rigged in favor of one party that the primary decides the election. An early primary leaves less time for primary challengers to run effectively. A primary close to the legislative session could open the door to more corruption, as lawmakers trade votes for endorsements and financial support.

There is a smart way out of this dilemma.

First, conduct a fair, independent redistricting process — as we and other groups have repeatedly urged and which lawmakers promised would be done. The result would likely be more competitive districts, making the general election a real race in more instances.

Second, reform the campaign finance system once and for all. Lower New York’s sky-high contribution limits, implement public financing, tighten up the lax rules on uses of campaign funds.

This has been talked about for years. Everyone knows what needs to be done, most of all a Legislature that has spent years finding ways not to do it.

Fix this system, and New York isn’t left with a choice of which bad decision to make. A June primary would make complete sense — except, perhaps, to politicians who don’t want voters doing the ultimate political performance review when all eyes are on them.